The best Loan Officers anticipate issues in their files so that they don't become issues.

Probably the most effective means of doing this is to write notes in the file about any documentation still needed from the borrower and any red flags or unusual circumstances so that the Processor has a "heads up" on the file and isn't forced into detective work that you should have explained from the start.

Then follow up with your Processor and/or customer to insure that unusual circumstances are handled early so that they don't become gigantic land mines at the end of the process.

It's kind of like when the little red light goes on in your car. It isn't going away until you take action, so it only makes sense to address it immediately before it becomes a full-on, metal to metal, overheated calamity.